View full sizeShelly LynchIt requires a certain scruffy charm to carry off "The Big Lebowski" sweater as well as Jeff Bridges does.

Oregon's Pendleton Woolen Mills has a long and glorious history when it comes to products and apparel. After all, Pendleton's roots go back to 1909. But who knew the company's association with "The Big Lebowski"-- and a tattered sweater worn by a certain unemployed bowling enthusiast -- would turn out to be so darned popular?

Since the story appeared on Oregonlive.com, "We've gotten tons of activity on our Website," says Debbie Coryell, manager of men's communications for Pendleton Woolen Mills. Coryell says she also got a call from someone with the Blue Note, the record label that's releasing Jeff Bridges' upcoming album. "He wants me to call him back and see if there's any kind of promotion we could be doing with that," says Coryell.

"Our call center has been getting lots of calls, too, asking when the sweater is going to be available."

In response, Coryell says, Pendleton is hurrying to get a photo of and information about its upcoming "Lebowski" cardigan tribute sweater on the Pendleton site by this afternoon, making sure to incorporate the name "Dude," for those searching for the "Dude cardigan."

View full sizePendleton Woolen MillsThe new, tribute version of the "Lebowski" sweater, the "Dude Cardigan," will be available in September.

If you're one of those "Lebowski" fashion achievers just aching to get the new sweater for the dude in your life, Pendleton is now taking pre-orders for the item by phone (1-800-649-1512) or at Pendleton retail stores. It won't be available to ship until about the first of August, however, so don't break out the White Russians quite yet.

On Oregonlive.com, the story's been generating lots of comments, most of which consist of people quoting lines from the 1998 Coen brothers movie, which has become the kind of cult favorite that, well, inspires fans to quote it, chapter and verse.

While we won't know until after the Beverly Hills auction this weekend just how much somebody is willing to pay for the original sweater Bridges wore as the Dude in the movie, it looks like interest is already high. The current online bid at this moment is $10,000.

The description of the item goes as follows:

Vintage Pendleton Cowichan sweater worn by Jeff Bridges as the
bumbling hero, “The Dude,” in the Coen brothers’ cult classic, The Big
Lebowski. Certainly the most identifiable piece of wardrobe from the
film, there were four sweaters made for the production, this vintage
sweater and three modern copies according to costume designer Mary
Zophres. Bridges wore this vintage sweater exclusively during the
entire production, preferring to wear it all the time and thus delve
deeper into the “Dudeness” required of the role. Featuring a
full-length zip front and roll-down collar, this signature wardrobe item
is in excellent, screen-worn condition. Comes with a LOA from the
films’ costume designer.

Dude! That $10,000 would pay for a lot of fine rugs, which would REALLY tie the room together.

We can shed even more light on the wonder that is the original "Lebowski" Dude cardigan.Steven Tatar, president and creative director of Ohio Knitting Mills, says the original "Lebowski" cardigan was manufactured at Winona Knitting Mills, in Winona, Minn., under contract to Pendleton. "It was
originally based on a Chief Joseph blanket design from Pendleton, and a big
seller for the company. It was in production from the late 60's through the
early 80's or so."